Monday, June 05, 2000

Retiring teachers share memories

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By Andrea Tortora
The Cincinnati Enquirer

Lois Fannin receives goodbye hugs on her last day at Southgate School. (Patrick Reddy photo) | ZOOM |

        One teacher can touch the lives of more than 700 students in a 35-year career, not to mention those students' families. When teachers and other educators retire — as hundreds in the Tristate will this summer — they leave a void in the community.

        The National Center for Education Statistics estimates about 120,000 teachers across the country will retire this year. Kentucky will lose 1,300 teachers, Ohio nearly 5,300. Whether in the classroom, as guidance counselors or principals, teachers change lives by doing their jobs.

        Here are some of their stories:

        • Southgate School first-grade teacher Lois Fannin hated getting up early but never hated going to work.

        She always greeted students with a song from her piano, teaching lessons through music.

        Now, after 35 years of “first grades full of love and hugs” Mrs. Fannin is trading in her trademark keyboard for travel and time as a reading volunteer.

        “I'm glad I won't be in the room when they take the piano out,” Mrs. Fannin said. “I don't want to be there when they take that out. That was my piano. I will miss that most of all.”

        Parent Diane Hatfield noted how Mrs. Fannin hugs every student before taking time to speak to a parent or handle other business.

        Mrs. Fannin said her best memories are watching children unlock reading and seeing their faces light up when they grasp the skill.

        Though she's worried about being retired, Mrs. Fannin said living in the city where she taught will ease the transition.

        “The most delightful part of it is that many of them are still in the area and I get to see them as adults and with their own children,” Mrs. Fannin said.

        Among 35 years of treasures one item will remain precious: “I have a book with a picture in it of every child I've taught.”

        That's about 700 smiling faces (35 years with an average class of 20 students a year).

Bill Duff (Gary Landers photo) | ZOOM |

        • In 1965, when Bill Duff joined what is now Winton Woods City Schools, he thought he'd “gone to heaven. This was the school district. Everyone you knew here was either an exec at P&G or GE. You would not believe the students we had.”

        Demographics changed in the past 35 years, but Mr. Duff's love of helping children did not.

        He was a geology teacher at Greenhills High until 1968 when he helped open Forest Park High School. While at Greenhills, he witnessed the racial integration of the student body.

        In 1972, Mr. Duff became a guidance counselor. He has been a counselor at Winton Woods Middle School since 1983. He started a guidance program for elementary schools. In the summer, Mr. Duff was summer school director.

        Other teachers describe Mr. Duff as the “voice of who always keeps his sense of humor.

        “I've tried to treat everyone the same whether they were in a position higher than mine or a person who sweeps the floor at night,” Mr. Duff said. “And I've always treated students the same, whether they are failing or getting A's.”

        • Flo Edelman, principal at St. Gabriel Consolidated School in Glendale, hopes her “prayer hopper is full” of ideas and opportunities to keep her busy in retirement.

        Miss Edelman leaves St. Gabriel after 12 years as principal and 47 total years as an educator in Greater Cincinnati Catholic schools.

        She began teaching at age 19; her first class was 51 first graders. Her largest class was in Alex andria, Ky., where she taught 68 first and second graders.

        “You weren't the social worker you have to be today,” Miss Edelman said. “Teachers are expected to be everything today.”

        Miss Edelman spent 30 years as a principal.

        At St. Gabriel she implemented volunteer programs, academic and computer competitions and a lunch-sharing program. She was instrumental in helping St. Gabriel receive full accreditation from the Ohio Catholic School Accrediting Association.

        Teaching colleagues and staff call her a workaholic.

        “I like to work a 12-hour day, and I'll even miss that,” Miss Edelman said.

        Next on the agenda? Travel and some relaxation.

        Never having taken more than a month off, Miss Edelman said she's looking forward to two months of vacation.

       

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